Wire coiler



L. M. MYERS 3,152,770

WIRE COILEIR Oct. 13, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed June 11, 1962 INVENTOR. Lane M. Myers ATTORNEY L. M. MYERS WIRE COILER Oct. 13, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 11, 1962 INVENTOR. Lane M. Myers ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,152,770 WIRE COILER Lane M. Myers, Rrotection, Kans. Filed June 11, 1962, Ser. No. 201,517 11 Claims. (Cl. 24254) This invention relates to a wire coiler. More particularly it relates to a device for winding barbed wire into a coil, the device applying controlled back tension to the wire as it is wound and being especially suited for guiding and handling one of the most difficult wires to manage, namely concertina barbed Wire.

In making certain wire including one or more types of barbed wire, a disadvantage encountered in manufacture is that the finished wire is not under sufiicient winding tension as it approaches the coiler at the end of the wire line. If the arrangement of the wire line is such that the approaching wire is actually slack, then obviously no back tension is present and evenly winding under completely slack conditions makes the difficulty more pronounced. Guiding and winding by hand entails standing alongside and manipulating a constantly moving flight of the wire; although the task can be done by hand and is in fact accomplished at times in that manner, there are definite problems because of the stringent conditions. Thus in the case of barbed wire, not only would the operator have to give attention to uniformity of coiling but also he must take care that the wire is undamaged during the handling, i.e., that the barbs do not become blunted or disturbed in their grip on the wire so that they partially loosen.

It is an object of the present invention to mechanically direct andwind wire on a reel, by means of novel guide mechanism obviating the bluntingand loosening problems referred to.

It is a further object to provide such mechanism with means for applying constant back tension to the wire, through mechanical contact at spaced apart points along the length of the wire. Preferably mechanical gripper fingers are employed in pairs and, in the case of barbed wire, each pair of the fingers as they come together grips the wire at a point immediately anterior to a set of barbs. The fingers make solid abutment against the central portion of the barbed elements, thus positively reacting back tensionat only preselected fixed points on the wire.

Another object in line with the foregoing objectives is the provision of a novel braking means and gripper finger mounting devices operating whereby the resistance of the grippers to motion and hence the back tension of the wire, can be readily adjusted. These adjustments are needed from time to time in service even when the same wire speed is always employed and it is apparent that readjustment may become necessary if there is a change in the Winding speed,

Further features, objects, and advantages will either be specifically pointed out or become apparent when .for a better understanding of the invention, reference is made to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGURES l and 2 are front and side elevational views respectively of a coiler embodying the guide mechanism of the present invention; i

FIGURES 3 and 4 correspond to FIGURES 1 and 2 respectively, but show the guide mechanism to enlarged scale in isometric face view and in side elevational view;

FIGURE 5 is an enlarged fragmentary view similar to FIG. 3 but with certain parts such as the guide horn removed for purposes of clarity;

FIGURE 6 is a transverse section through the feed wheels of the guide mechanism taken along the lines VIVI of FIGURE 4;

FIGURE 7 is a bottom face view showing the brake mechanism in the direction of the arrows VII-VII of FIGURE 4; and

FIGURE 8 is a longitudinal section through the feed wheels taken along the lines VIIIVIII of FIGURE 6.

More particularly in the drawings, the reel 10 of a barbed wire coiling apparatus has a horizontally disposed shaft 12, the shaft 12 being journaled for rotation on a longitudinally extending axis in an upright framework 14. A wire guide mechanism generally indicated at 16 directs, onto the reel, the finished wire 18 coming from the end of a wire manufacturing line.

The reel it consists of a frame of various radially and longitudinally disposed elements forming no per se part of the present invention and is collapsible by means of a collapsin mechanism 2h forming part of the framework 14. The reel is fast to the shaft 12 which is driven by a reduction belt drive 22 from an adjustable-speed electric motor 24 resting on the base of the framework 14. The motor 24 is wired through a limit stop switch 26 (FTGURF, 1) and an operators control (not shown) to a source of electric current.

The guide mechanism 16 rides on a longitudinally disposed channel forming a track 28 in the framework and is driven by a lead screw 39 which is parallel to the track 28 and disposed adjacent thereto at the front side of the reel. The limit switch 26 is in the path of travel of the mechanism 16 adjacent one end of the track 28 and is responsive to contact with the mechanism to automatically shut down the reel drive by stopping the motor 24.

A chain and sprocket connection 32 between the reel shaft 12 and a lead screw Ell drives the lead screw 3% in one-to-one relation to the shaft and the mechanism 16 evenly distributes the individual coils of the wire 18 over the length of the reel iii. An extension 34 (FIGURE 2) on the front side of the framework M firmly supports the lead screw fill and the track 28 in their operative relationship.

In FIGURES 3 and 4, the guide mechanism 16 includes a guide horn 36 which is mounted to a base plate 33 and through the anterior end of which receives wire 18 in the mouth of the horn. Tension wheels consisting of spaced apart circular plates 49 and 42- are disposed at the posterior end of the guide horn 36 and wire feeds through these wheels so as to be applied on the reel. A shaft 44 which carries plates 40 of one tension wheel is journaled to the base plate 38 at one side of the wire and a companion shaft 46 carrying the other lead wheel plates 42 is similarly mounted on an opposite side of the wire. A brake 43 (FIGURE 4) engages the lower portion of the shaft 46.

Four pivot shafts 52 which are journaled at the opposite ends in the plates at and four pivot shafts 54 which are journaled in the plates 42 carry individual gripper plates generally indicated at 5%) which cooperate by pairs as grippers of the wire 18 at spaced apart points therealong. Each pivot shaft carries a crank as at the upper end. Each crank 56 is biased by a spring 58 in a direction constantly urging the gripper plates 5% to their outermost position and as can be noted they are in a backwardly curved relation to the direction of feed wheel rotation. In FIGURES 4 and 5, the base plate 38 of the mecha nism 16 is hinged at of} to a carriage 62 and is angularly adjustable with respect to the carriage by means of an adjusting link connection 64. The carriage 62 carries flange engaging rollers 66 and an opposing web engaging roll 68 for rolling along the track 28. A feed lever '70 which is pivoted at 72 to the carriage 62 carries a cam 74 engaging the single pitch thread of the lead screw 39 to form a feed or drive connection for the carriage 62. The feed lever 70 is controlled by a return spring 76 and a hand lever 78 (FIGURE 5 so as to effect running engagement with the threads or to be disengaged in the position 74a of the cam for resetting the carriage for the next feed.

The specific wire 18 illustrated in FIGURE 3 is concertina barbed wire consisting of a length of spring steel wire carrying sets of barbed. elements 80 fixed thereto at regularly spaced intervals. In the particular type illus trated there were four barbs per set of elements and the sets were spaced apart 2 /2 inches center to center. The lowermost set iitla is shown by dotted lines in FIGURE 3 to clarify a crimped formation i2 formed at the mentioned 2% inch intervals so as to provide a suitable offset in which the barbed elements retain their wound on relation without longitudinal slipping; any further connection such as welding is unnecessary and the tightness of the winding provides sufficient friction grip.

In FIGURE 6, the gripper plates 59 are seen to be sent at the middle providing an outer finger portion for engaging the wire. The inner portion is angled to provide an abutting portion 84 engageable by the pivot shaft 44 or 46 as appropriate to provide a stop. Being biased to pivot to their outer position, the plates 50 establish an initial engagement with a set of barbed elements and advance at the speed of those elements through the respective positions shown by the dotted lines Silo, 50b, 56c, and 59d. The spacing of the grippers is close enough that there is an overlap of grip while the succeeding pair of grippers is assuming the load. In the preferred geometry, the succeeding set has fully assumed the load just prior to the working set of plates reaching the position shown by the dotted lines Stld. v

The bias against theplates causes them to flip from their perpendicular position 50d with relation to the wire into their free normal outermost position at which point the abutting portions 84 re-engage the pivot shaft as a stop. Thereafter the barbed elements 80 have an unobstructed path for continuing their travel away from the feed wheels.

In FIGURES 7 and 8 the shafts 44 and 4e carry meshing gears 86 and 88 at their lower end, each made fast thereto by means of a set screw 96 in the hub of the gear. The brake 48 is a fabricated metal structure of elliptical shape with closed loops 92 and 94 at the opposite ends. The loop 2 exerts a friction grip on the shaft 46 and the loop 94 rests loosely about an anchoring pin 96 depending on the base plate 38. An adjusting bolt W passing through registering openings in the center of the brake has the mid portion surrounded by a coil spring 8 and is used to control the adjustment of the friction of the brake and hence the amount of back tension placed on the wire 18. The brake 48 applies resisting force directly to the shaft 46 and applies resisting force to the shaft 44 through the shaft 46, gear 88, and gear 86.

A good part of the assembly appearing in FIGURE 8 is secured together by welding. Thus, the upper and lower plates 40 are so secured to the shaft 44, the upper and lower plates 42 are secured to the shaft 46 in this manner, the gripper plates 50 are secured to the respective pivot shafts 52 and 54, and the cranks 56 are secured to the upper ends of the pivot shafts so as to be in proper relation to the gripper plates 50. The springs 58 in FIGURE 8 are seen connected to the inner cranks 56 in a manner continuously biasing the plates to the outer position.

In operation of the device of the preceding figures, the hand lever 78 is operated to release the feed lever 70 from the lead screw and the mechanism is moved from its terminal position against the stopping switch 28 and reset to its leftward position as viewed in FIGURE 1, thus enabling the motor 24 to be operated. Wire 18 is fed through the'guide horn 36, trained between the tension wheels, and led to a starting point where it is secured on the reel 10. The motor 24 is energized and the wire uniformly winds onto the reel under back tension provided by the brake 48. In one physically constructed embodiment of the invention the lead screw pitch was such that seventy turns of the concertina wire had been applied to the reel at the point at which the carriage 62 engaged the stopping switch 26 thus de-energizing the motor 24. The further operations necessary in the particular case of barbed-wire in a coil were conducted making it ready for shipment whereupon the collapsible reel was collapsed and the coil removed.

The reel is again erected and the operation repeated.

It will be appreciated from the foregoing that the Wire 18 is free to turn on its axis while being wound and that the gripper plates exert no torque against the barbed elements 8t) tending to loosen them in their frictional grip on the Wire. The backwardly curved or backwardly trailing relation of the gripper plates keeps them in the proper attitude to prevent blunting of the barbs. At the termination of the working stroke of each set of gripper plates, they start receding by rapidly flipping apart so as not to interfere with the barbed elements or loosen them. It is important with concertina wire that the barbs both be secure in their relative position lengthwise along the axis of the wire and be secure against relative displacement about the axis and the present mechanism has been found especially suited for preserving this relationship.

I claim:

1. In a coiler, a reel and wire guide mechanism comprising tension wheel means directing the wire to be coiled onto the reel; support means for said reel and said wire guide means and drive means for applying power to said reel; said wire guide means including a motion retarding means acting on said tension Wheel means against the pull of the winding reel, said tension wheel means including a series of circumferentially spaced members defining pivoted plates comprising grippers engaging the wire successively only at spaced points along its length, said members moving with the wire from a point of initial contact to a point of release therefrom as the wire is drawn through said guide mechanism.

2. In a coiler for wire having regularly spaced apart protrusions on the wire; a winding reel and drive means for applying power to said reel; support means for said reel, said support means carrying a wide guide means for directing wire onto said reel under constant tension; said last-mentioned means including paired tension wheels; brake means acting on said wheels to resist rotation whereby; said wheels including cooperating sets of protrusion grippers pivotally carried thereon, said grippers successively contacting the wire only at spaced points along its length whereby the brake means acts through said wheels and the grippers to apply continuous back tension to the wire against the pull of the reel.

3. In a coiler having a longitudinal frame, the combination of a reel supported for rotation on a generally longitudinally extending axis; a longitudinally extending track beside the reel and supported by the frame; wire guide mechanism comprising tension wheel means operative for directing wire onto the reel as said reel is rotated, said mechanism carrying rollers for rolling along said track so as to distribute the wire along said reel; drive means common to the reel and to the wire guide mechanism for applying power to rotate the reel and coordinately roll said mechanism along the track; and separate means for generating a force exerted on the ten sion wheel means so as to apply back tension to the wire, said tension wheels means comprising pivoted grippers successively contacting the wire only at spaced apart points along the length of the wire to apply continuous back tension thereto.

4. In a coiler, the mechanism according to claim 3, wherein said drive means for said wire guide mechanism includes a lead screw and means connecting said lead screw with said drive means, said connection means being periodically disengaged from said lead screw to release said guide mechanism from said drive means to its starting position for a further pass along said track.

5. In a coiler, mechanism according to claim 3, and further comprising a drive stopping member disposed adjacent the terminal of the path of said guide mechanism responsive to contact between said stopping member and said guide mechanism effective to stop said drive means so that the reel ceases to wind wire when the guide mechanism reaches the end of said track.

6. In a coiler, wire guide mechanism comprising the combination of a guide having a mouth which is disposed anteriorly on the mechanism to receive Wire to be coiled; motion-resisting tension wheel structures disposed at the posterior end of said guide and each struc ture comprising upper and lower plates; pivot shafts carried at the periphery of each of said tension wheel structures and each shaft being pivotally supported between the plates of the structure; and gripper plates effective to contact and apply back tension to the wire at spaced apart points therealong; said gripper plates being secured to the pivot shafts in transversely aligned relation to one another and being free to pivot as they sustain contact with the wire for insuring positive grip and for pivoting clear of the wire when releasing their grip, at least one of said wheel structures including motion retarding means operative to selectively vary the rotation of said wheel structure.

7. Mechanism comprising the combination of claim 6,

wherein said gripper plates have a backwardly curvedv maximum outer position with respect to their direction of rotation; and including further means biasing said plates to their maximum outer position to insure early initial contact with said wire as the wheel structures rotate toward the wire and early release of the wire by said gripper plates so as to freely clear the wire as the wheel structures rotate away from the wire.

8. For use with barbed Wire apparatus for coiling the wire after the individual sets of barb elements have been affixed thereto, wire guide mechanism comprising the combination of a guide having an end anteriorly disposed on said mechanism for receiving the wire to be drawn therethrough for coiling; tension wheel means; shafts individual to said feed wheel means for mounting them to said mechanism in line with the wire adjacent the posterior end of said guide; angularly bent gripper plates pivoted to the periphery of the tension wheel means at circurnferentially spaced apart points; said plates being pivotable to an outer limiting position in which they establish a backwardly curve-d relation to the tension wheel means so as to grip the individual sets of barbed elements of the passingwire; means in said mechanism operatively connected to said tension wheel means for applying a resisting force to rotation of said shafts enabling the gripper plates to apply back tension to the wire; and means connecting the shafts for coordinate rotation keeping the gripper plates transversely aligned so that in efiecting contact with the individual sets of barbed elements the plates do so by mutually engaging the elements.

9. In wire apparatus adapted for coiling barbed wire after the individual sets of barb elements have been aifixed thereto, wire guide mechanism comprising the combination of guide means disposed anteriorly on the mechanism for receiving the wire to be drawn therethrough for coiling; two tension wheels; a shaft individual to each of the feed wheels and mounting them to said mechanism in line with the wire at the posterior end of the guide means; gripper plates of angular shape pivoted to the periphery at circumferentially spaced apart points 1 on each of the tension wheels and having an outer limited pivoted position in which they occupy a backwardly curved relation With respect to the tension wheels for gripping the wire; said plates having an inner, angled portion eifective when said plates are in the outer posi tion to engage the shaft of the Wheel thereby limiting the outer position as aforesaid; and braking means on said mechanism operatively connected to the tension wheels for applying a resisting force enabling the gripper plates to exert back tension on the wire.

10. Wire guide mechanism according to claim 9, wherein said braking means comprises an adjustable friction brake on one of said shafts; and means connecting the shafts whereby both resist rotation due to said braking means.

11. In a coiler, a reel; wire guide mechanism including two tension wheels and operative for directing wire onto the reel; means for supporting the reel and guide mechanism; gripper plates pivoted to the periphery of the two tension wheels at circumferentially spaced apart points and being pivotable to an outer limiting position wherebycorresponding gripper plates mutually engage the passing wire at transversely aligned points; the spacing of said gripper plates being correlated with individual sets of barbed elements on the wire so that the peripheral speed of the wheels corresponds to the linear speed of the passing wire without slippage; reel drive means for applying power whereby the reel draws the wire at a predetermined speed through the guide mechanism thus establishing the peripheral speed of the tension wheels; and means on said mechanism operatively connected with the tension wheels to apply a resisting force thereto and being controllable so as to establish an adjustable back tension to the wire drawn onto the reel.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 611,817 Morkre Oct. 4, 1898 670,967 Powers Apr. 2, 1901 2,714,998 Guilbert Aug. 9, 1955 2,773,391 Bruestle Dec. 11, 1956 2,872,128 Heijnis et al Feb. 3, 1959 2,956,755 Ottenheimer et a1 Oct. 18, 1960 2,995,312 Nagel Aug. 8, 1961 

1. IN A COILER, A REEL AND WIRE GUIDE MECHANISM COMPRISING TENSION WHEEL MEANS DIRECTING THE WIRE TO BE COILED ONTO THE REEL; SUPPORT MEANS FOR SAID REEL AND SAID WIRE GUIDE MEANS AND DRIVE MEANS FOR APPLYING POWER TO SAID REEL; SAID WIRE GUIDE MEANS INCLUDING A MOTION RETARDING MEANS ACTING ON SAID TENSION WHEEL MEANS AGAINST THE PULL OF THE WINDING REEL, SAID TENSION WHEEL MEANS INCLUDING A SERIES OF CIRCUMFERENTIALLY SPACED MEMBERS DEFINING PIVOTED PLATES COMPRISING GRIPPERS ENGAGING THE WIRE SUCCESSIVELY ONLY AT SPACED POINTS ALONG ITS LENGTH, SAID MEMBERS 